Through the work of CAC, we strive to:
- Reflect and serve the racial and cultural diversity[1] of Cuyahoga County.
- Deliberately share power with (partly through investing time and money in) people of color, recognizing that CAC is responsible for operating with an awareness of legacies of privilege and power.
- Include and engage historically-excluded[2] individuals and groups in our work.
[1] Racial and cultural diversity = “A value that brings unique perspective of life experience to the decision-making table, focusing particularly on racial and ethnic groups, LGBTQ populations, people with disabilities, and women.” (D5 coalition)
[2] Historically-excluded = “CAC strongly encourages applicants who have been historically marginalized or underrepresented. Priority funding goes to artists that foster artistic expression deeply rooted in and reflective of historically marginalized or underrepresented communities.
Informed by the Grantmakers in the Arts’ “Racial Equity: Statement of Purpose,” these communities include: African and African American; Latino/a; Asian and Asian American; Arab; Native American; Pacific Islander; lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer; transgender and gender variant people; people with disabilities; and women. Cuyahoga Arts & Culture also recognizes that some marginalized communities may not be listed here and encourage applicants to articulate and provide supporting evidence about the marginalization of any community or ethnic/people group not named above. Marginalized communities do not include fringe artistic disciplines.” (CAC guidelines)